MEMORIES - THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

One of my colleagues brought this picture in today, and it reminded me of my time in the World's Most Powerful Nuclear Navy. Ahh the good old days of the Cold War. If one looks closely at the picture, a Soviet bomber (possibly a TU144, but I'm relying on a very faulty memory) flying over the USS Nimitz, one of the most impressive aircraft carriers of its day.

This incident was generally considered poor form in military circles, but of course, both sides did it with relish.

We never had such incidents in Vietnam - seems like it wasn't so much a Cold War as a rather hot one. Our contacts with the North Vietnamese (the Viet Cong having no discernible air force) were rather limited.

Most nights from midnight 'til six a.m. I was flying over what the Navy referred to as "extreme western South Vietnam". Of course we were so far west that the mid-point of our orbit was an air base in Thailand. For those of you who are geographically challenged, Vietnam and Thailand have no common border, separated by another country, but I'm not at liberty to share with you which one that would be.

Every night as we crossed into "extreme western Vietnam" we were shot at by anti-aircraft fire, which exploded harmlessly several thousand feet below us. I've always wanted to meet the person who was down there. I'd have to give him (or her) an A for effort, but was always thankful that they never got a bigger gun.

Now my nephew John - the adventuresome member of the family is off starting in late October for a year-long trip around the world. I'd love to have that kind of spirit - not to mention the knees to go with it. He asked if his father, Rich, and I would like to meet him in Vietnam for the week or two that he'd be there. It's been 37 years for me, and probably 40 for Rich since we've been there. We're both interested in going back - but looking for a touch more comfort than the first time. I'll keep you posted.

It's not the most spectacular picture ever, but it does show the group assembled for my last meeting as a member of the Illinois State Board of Education.

From the left, Chairman Jesse Ruiz, Dr, Prashand Nandi, liaison from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Lanita Koster, Dr. Andrea Brown, Illinois State Superintenent of Education Chris Koch, me, Dr. Vinni Hall, Dr. David Fields, my Board (or is it Bored?) wife, Joyce Karon, and Dr. Chris Ward.

This is a very special group of people. We didn't necessarily start out well, but they were class all the way. Most of this group appeared on our doorstep courtesy of legislation that fired seven members of the State Board of Ed back in 2004. Only Joyce and I continued from that group. Original members of that group, Ed Geppert and Brenda Holmes, resigned from the Board earlier. Ed, to take a position with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and Brenda at the end of her term of office, just a few weeks ago.

Ed and I will join forces as members of the Education Funding Advisory Board (EFAB) in the near future, along with three others.

I have enjoyed most of my time on ISBE, and all of the people that work there,